Bexhill Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bexhill Museum

"Encouraging Discovery"
Established	22 May 1914
Location	Egerton Park, Bexhill-on-Sea
Collections	The Sargent Collection; The Costume Collection; The Technology Collection

Bexhill Museum is a cool place to visit in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. It's an independent museum that first opened its doors in 1914. Today, it's run as a registered charity, supported by amazing volunteers and a few dedicated employees. It's a great spot to discover local history and interesting collections!

History of Bexhill Museum

How the Museum Started

Bexhill Museum first opened in 1914. Two important people, Reverend J.C. Thompson and Kate Marsden, helped set it up. Thompson was the first Honorary Curator until 1924.

Kate Marsden was a truly inspiring person. She was one of the first women to become a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. This happened after she traveled thousands of miles across Russia to Siberia in 1891! Kate Marsden is known for inspiring the museum's creation. She organized meetings to get local people excited about the idea. She also invited important local figures and successfully asked companies like Bryant and May, Frys, and Colmans to donate items.

Kate Marsden also gave the museum her own shell collection. She encouraged Walter Amsden to donate a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Kate Marsden resigned from her role in 1913, just before the museum officially opened.

The Museum Building

The museum is located in a building once known as the Egerton Park Shelter Hall. This building was constructed in 1903 by George Ball. It used to be a small entertainment pavilion for visitors enjoying the park. The Bexhill Corporation owned the building. They leased it to the museum and also provided a small grant to help it get started.

Growing the Collections

Henry Sargent started working at Bexhill Museum in 1920. He stayed there until he passed away in 1983. The museum's main governing body, the Bexhill Museum Association, was founded in 1923. This group was set up to help oversee the museum's work.

The museum built up a collection of local archaeology and taxidermy (preserved animals). However, the natural history collection faced some challenges. It was hard to keep the temperature and light levels just right. Also, the basement where some items were stored was prone to flooding.

Modernizing the Museum

In 1986, the museum's buildings were updated and remodeled. The lighting and heating systems were improved, making it safer for the collections. New temporary exhibition spaces and a storage area were created in what used to be the toilet blocks. Over the next ten years, the museum worked with Rother District Council. This partnership led to a curator being transferred to work at the museum.

Bexhill Museum Today

In 2004, Bexhill Museum merged with the Bexhill Museum of Costume. It then became a registered charity, overseen by a group of trustees. Today, the museum is mostly run by dedicated volunteers. It also has two paid employees and a curator who is employed by Rother District Council. The famous comedian and actor, Eddie Izzard, is the patron of the museum.

The museum is always working on new and exciting things. For example, a Second World War exhibition and a model railway layout are planned. These will be ready in time for the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II.

Images for kids

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  First Accession Register of Bexhill Museum by Kate Marsden

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  The museum when it opened, 1914

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  The founders of the museum, 1914

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  The Sargent Gallery

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  The museum maintains its Edwardian heritage

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  The Access Centre provides a place for local research